Meaning
Today's Sentences
- I can't help feeling sorry for him.
- I can't help smiling when I see her.
- I can't help eating so much.
- I can't help biting my nails.
- I can't help smoking when I have been drinking.
- Writer's Note
01
I can't help feeling sorry for him.
Situation 1
It looks like this little puppy is lost.
He looks so scared.
I can’t help feeling sorry for him.
Let’s walk around and see if anyone is looking for him.
Situation 2
He lost his first big game.
He must be disappointed.
But there are many more games to come!
Nhưng còn rất nhiều trận đấu sắp tới!
I can’t help feeling sorry for him.
Maybe show him that a gracious winner or loser can say ‘good game’ after.
02
I can't help smiling when I see her.
Situation 1
Congratulations on the new addition to your family!
Thank you.
I can’t help smiling when I see her.
Tôi không thể không mỉm cười khi nhìn thấy cô ấy.
You look really happy.
I’m a little scared for the sleepless nights though.
Situation 2
Congratulations on your engagement!
Thank you for coming to the party.
You look really happy.
I can’t help smiling when I see her.
03
I can't help eating so much.
Situation 1
I was so busy at work today.
Is that why you bought all these snacks?
Yes.
I can’t help eating so much.
Tôi không thể ngừng ăn quá nhiều.
I understand.
A stressful day makes me lose track of my appetite.
Một ngày căng thẳng khiến tôi mất cảm giác thèm ăn.
Situation 2
I have such a sweet tooth.
I do too.
Some days, I can’t help eating so much.
I know what you mean.
04
I can't help biting my nails.
Situation 1
Are you nervous about something?
Yes, I can’t help biting my nails.
You know, they have special polish for nail biters?
I tried to quit so many times.
Situation 2
Your nails are so short!
Yes, I can’t help biting my nails.
Look at my nails! I’m a nail-biter too.
It looks like we have something in common.
05
I can't help smoking when I have been drinking.
Situation 1
Is it time for a smoke?
How did you know?
I can’t help smoking when I have been drinking.
Tôi không thể không hút thuốc khi tôi đã uống rượu.
It seems like a common habit.
I wish I could control it.
Writer’s Note
The phrase "I can’t help" is a useful and expressive structure in English. Below are the key points to understand its meaning, structure, and usage.
- Key Points for "I can’t help"
👉 "I can't help" means you are unable to stop yourself from doing or feeling something, often unintentionally.
👉 It expresses something natural, automatic, or emotional.
Examples:
👉 I can’t help laughing when he talks like that.
👉 I can’t help feeling nervous before interviews. - Structure:
"I can’t help" + verb-ing (gerund)
Examples:
👉 I can’t help smiling when I see babies.
👉 She can’t help crying during sad movies.
👉 They can’t help worrying about their exams.
👉 "I can't help" có nghĩa là bạn không thể ngừng bản thân khỏi việc làm hoặc cảm nhận điều gì đó, thường là không cố ý.
👉 Nó biểu thị điều gì đó tự nhiên, tự động hoặc cảm xúc.
Ví dụ:
👉 Tôi không thể nhịn cười khi anh ấy nói như thế.
👉 Tôi không thể ngừng cảm thấy lo lắng trước các buổi phỏng vấn.
“I can’t help” + động từ-ing (danh động từ)
Ví dụ:
👉 Tôi không thể không mỉm cười khi thấy những đứa trẻ.
👉 Cô ấy không thể không khóc khi xem phim buồn.
👉 Họ không thể không lo lắng về kỳ thi của mình.
The situations above are quite short but I wanted to have to reader imagine the setting of the dialogue. In other words, I want you to understand the context surrounding the given sentence. You should consider context because it provides meaning and clarity to the intended message.
Have you been consistent and diligent in your studies? It’s tricky to set a fixed time to study because we all have work, families, and the unanticipated surprises of life. How has life been treating you? What kind of obstacles stood in your way that kept you from studying?
